4 weeks ...

... from today, your six-time and reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers report to Latrobe, to start the entire process over again. And despite being the defending champs, despite having a cake schedule, a dynamic young head coach and brilliant defensive coordinator, a headstrong quarterback that finds ways to win, a defense so nasty they should be charged with aggravated assault every time they take the field, they are not the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year. JJ Cooper points us to an interesting article that asks, why not? Furthermore, Steel Curtain Rising takes umbrage with the notion that ESPN has already named the Patriots the team of the decade. Despite an entire season remaining in the decade. Go figure ...

STUFF ...

• The front of a new T-shirt sent to us by Giovanni Poggi, proprietor of La Botticella, a.k.a. the Steelers bar in Rome. The back is below.
  

• Speaking of t-shirts, this is cool.
  
• Detailed analysis of the Steelers being ranked as the no. 3 franchise in North American sports by ESPN.
  
• Troy Polamalu = smart guy.
  
• Santonio going a little overboard on this Michael Jackson thing. At least he didn't compare it to 9/11 like Ocho Cinco.
  

AMBASSADOR ROONEY

• Full video of Dan Rooney being sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Ireland. Secretary of State Clinton makes some kind remarks at the beginning about Mr. Rooney, the Rooney family, and the Steelers & Penguins, but positiveky gushes about Pittsburgh.
  
• Here's some brief coverage of the event in Irish papers: Irish Independent & Irish Times
  

FINALLY ...

A pair of City of Champions videos for your enjoyment: